Free Tests For Hiv Available Thursday

South Florida health agencies will offer free and often anonymous HIV tests on Thursday as part of a nationwide campaign against the virus that causes AIDS.

Health officials have lined up more testing sites and have spread the word vigorously for this year's National HIV Testing Day. They hope to attract bigger crowds because the inaugural turnout last year was disappointing.

"People need to take advantage of this," said Lisa Agate, AIDS coordinator for the state's Public Health Unit in Broward County. "If not, we're going to see people use a home test kit and that's not as good. There's no face-to-face counseling, as we can provide."

Critics say the home tests, approved this year, are flawed because people will not get help on dealing with the virus. But supporters say the kits will encourage more people to be tested.

Thursday's free testing campaign was organized by three national AIDS advocacy groups, with financial backing from several sponsors.

HIV testing is strongly advised for those who have had unprotected sex or have shared syringes.

"If the results show you have HIV, you can take steps to fight the virus and delay the onset of AIDS. If you don't have HIV, you can learn how to better protect yourself and your loved ones," said Kathleen Wright of the Palm Beach County Public Health Department.

This is Broward's first year for a coordinated testing program, with various AIDS groups helping to spread the word. In the past, agencies did not work together and the public health unit was minimally active, Agate said.

This year, many of the 17 testing sites in Broward and Palm Beach counties will offer anonymous tests, meaning names will not be disclosed if people test positive. Other sites will offer confidential tests, meaning their names would be reported to the state.

A new state law requires that names be disclosed of all people testing positive for HIV - unless they went to a designated anonymous test site.